Yvonne Gattung B.Soc.Sci, DipMedHerb, MNZAMH, Natural Fertility Specialist Continuing the discussion from part 1, folic acid or 5MTHFR which is the best form to take? 4. Folic Acid Blocks Natural Folates and Causes Pseudo MTHFR? A study working on gene-nutrient interaction found that high folic acid consumption through diet leads to pseudo MTHFR deficiency when […]

Yvonne Gattung B.Soc.Sci, DipMedHerb, MNZAMH, Natural Fertility Specialist Over the last couple of years, the topic of methylation and especially as related to the polymorphism MTHFR has been discussed at conferences, via webinars, seminars, in our industry supplier information and widely on the internet. There is a staggering amount of research on folic acid and […]

5MTHFR is not found naturally in food. 5MTHFR is the form folate is absorbed by the body into its cells. It is the most biologically active form of folate and tends to be well absorbed even with alterations in gastrointestinal pH. If taken in supplement form the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is not required for its […]

Folate is an umbrella term used to describe all members of the vitamin B9 group including folic acid, folinic acid, 5MTHF and others Folate is found in foods such as green leafy vegetables (uncooked best), legumes, eggs and some fruits. Folate from food can be easily destroyed by UV rays, preparation and cooking methods. This […]

The use of wireless devices by consumers is increasing rapidly even though there is concern in the international scientific community that this technology can have adverse side effects. On May 31st 2011 the World Health Organisation (WHO) and The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) as a class […]

Ancient antics Throughout history, there have been prescriptions for sex selection. The human desire to choose the sex of one’s offspring – to have a son rather than a daughter or a daughter rather than a son – is hardly new. In ancient Greece, it was believed that if men had sex while on their […]

Coenzyme Q 10, often referred to as CoQ10, supplies the mitochondrial energy for the metabolic requirements of the body, including both the egg and sperm. Scientists believe CoQ10 also functions as an antioxidant that blocks actions that can damage cells. The body’s available supply of CoQ10 decreases with age and getting it from food presents […]

By Yvonne Gattung B.Soc.Sci, DipMedHerb, NZAMH Gender selection is gaining increased interest and use via the IVF process. Firstly, to screen for genetic defects and secondly, to ensure the desired gender in offspring. The technique is called Preimplatation genetic diagnosis (PGD). With this process several eggs are extracted from the mother as per usual IVF […]

by Sarah Knapton Science Editor, at the ASRM conference in Hawaii A diet rich in fruit and vegetables may harm fertility, say researchers at Loma Linda University Medical School. Vegetarians and vegans may be harming their chance of having children after a study found that men who do not eat meat have significantly reduced sperm […]

Researchers in Milan are attempting to prove that consuming small daily quantities of almonds or walnuts could have a significant effect on sperm quality. Doctors in Italy believe they may have found the secret to boosting male fertility. A handful of nuts. Experts at the Azienda Ospedaliera Citta della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, […]

By Sarah Knapton Science Editor, at the ASRM conference in Hawaii Drinking too much coffee can radically reduce a man’s ability to father children, a study has found. Men who drank two or more cups of strong coffee a day had just a one in five chance of becoming fathers through IVF. However, for those […]

MTHFR How many types are there? There are two different genes identified for this mutation. It is possible to be ‘heterozygous’,’compound heterozygous’, or ‘homozygous’. The MTHFR gene mutation has varying degrees of possible implications for the five different possible combinations. Heterozygous means one copy from one parent, (one of either C677T or A1298C) homozygous means […]

By Yvonne Gattung, Naturopath, Medical BHerbalist, Natural Fertility Specialist and MTHFR Consultant This is the first of a series of articles on the MTHFR gene and its effect on fertility. MTHFR is a gene, which produces the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme. Both are called MTHFR, so this can be confusing. The MTHFR enzyme converts folate […]

There is potential for heavy metals to affect sperm quality. In a recent cross sectional study of 20 environmentally exposed men and 27 men who were control (no exposure) showed that exposure to lead is related to a decrease in the quality of semen. Count, motility and morphology were all affected, with sperm morphology being […]

Most people understand the need for vitamin D for bone health, but few people understand its crucial role in our fertility. We have receptors for vitamin D in many organs and glands including our prostate and testes (Male), ovaries, endometrium and breast tissue (females). When vitamin D binds to the vitamin D receptors it influences […]

A recent study by the National Institutes of Health in the United States, has found that higher blood levels of cadium in females and higher blood levels of lead in males can delay pregnancy in couples trying to become pregnant. The study included 501 couples from 16 counties across Michigan and Texas and the study […]